A new multi-million Pound Barking Riverside Wellbeing Hub will offer residents the chance to visit a GP, book in with an advisor, such as those from the council’s Home and Money Hub, get involved with a range of community group activities, or enjoy a trip to an indoor waterpark – all under one roof.



The combined facility will also feature a gym, fitness studios, a community garden, a large event space, facilities for local community groups, and a café.

Residents will be able to speak to physicians, nurses, social prescribers, mental health practitioners, and social workers at the new multi-use venue.



The innovative new Wellbeing Hub is the result of more than two years of joint work between Barking and Dagenham Council, the local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Barking Riverside Limited (BRL), and local residents.



The bespoke facility, which is expected to be complete in late 2024, is designed to specifically improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for people living in Thames Ward.



Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, said: “This pioneering state-of-the-art development is much more than just repackaging a doctors surgery and leisure centre and calling it a hub.



“It is about bringing together services that we know will improve people’s lives for the better, making it easier to use those services and creating a place where people actually want to visit and spend their time.



The build costs of the Hub are estimated to be £39.95m, which will be part-funded by BRL as part of the development of over 10,000 homes, new transport connections and a range of facilities and amenities on the River Thames. The council will lead on the development of the Wellbeing Hub and make up the difference in costs.



Councillor Maureen Worby, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Health Integration, said: “Barking Riverside is the only Healthy New Town in the capital and this exciting new facility embodies many of the principles supporting that. The Hub will not only serve as a resource for the whole community but will bring a range of professionals all under one roof.”



Cllr Cameron Geddes, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Social Housing, said: “We are proud to have worked with BRL in our commitment to not only deliver much needed homes, but to provide the necessary facilities which will see a thriving and healthy community in this part of the borough.”



Matthew Carpen, Managing Director of BRL, said: “We are pleased to have worked alongside the Council, the NHS and a dedicated group of local people who shaped the initial design work, to help secure this incredible new facility for Barking Riverside. This facility will be amongst the most advanced – not only in how it provides healthcare, but also because of the pool offer, which will use state of the art technology to provide one of the most unique swim experiences in London. We hope it will become a benchmark for how other facilities should be delivered.”



Barking Riverside is one of the largest development projects in the borough. Alongside homes and facilities, a new London Overground station and Uber Boat by Thames Clippers pier are due to open next year.